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The San Francisco 49ers aren't just one of the best teams in the NFC. They're one of the best teams anywhere. In two years under Jim Harbaugh, they've been to two conference championship games, one Super Bowl and were within five yards of a sixth Lombardi Trophy. They have a raft of talent, a coach who can't lose and a reason for wanting to be just a little bit better. They believe they were the best team a year ago. Of course, they're going to have to prove it all over again -- only this time with Colin Kaepernick as their starter entering camp, without Michael Crabtree and with a defense that no longer is a slam-dunk to stonewall anyone.

9 days till the rookies report. I thought we could use a thread as the excitement builds and related articles arrive.

On paper, the 49ers have a solid group of starters on the OL. However, young players on the roster are quietly pushing to earn more playing time in 2013. The team uses multiple linemen in jumbo formations which has created a significant gameday role for interior linemen like Kilgore, a third-year pro. Kilgore and second-year lineman Joe Looney will be in line to compete for such jobs on the OL, plus push Goodwin for the chance to play center. Both linemen have spoken up about wanting a bigger role in 2013 and that begins with impressive showings in training camp and in the preseason. The 49ers also brought back veteran Adam Snyder to be a jack-of-all-trades on the line. Snyder has game experience at every position on the line and will be a positive mentor to young players like Wiggins, Netter, Bykowski and others looking to be versatile reserves.

Maybe itís the new haircut. Or, maybe itís the appearance of a larger upper body. Whatever the case is, Alex Boone looks bigger this offseason. The starting RG estimates heís put on 10-15 pounds of muscle. Boone said itís a result of hard training and healthy eating during his time back home in Ohio. ďI feel like an old vet,Ē the fourth-year pro said on Tuesday, the second day of SFís offseason strength program. ďIím getting older, wiserÖ Iím becoming the old guy around here.Ē Boone started in all 16 regular season games and in all three of the teamís postseason contests. Entering 2013, Boone continues to showcase the hard-working mindset that allowed him to become a successful contributor to SFís fourth-ranked rushing attack.

With Crabtree on the mend, Boldinís tenacity and years of experience will be counted on heavily in 2013. Behind Boldin and established WRs Manningham and Williams, the 49ers are looking for a young wideout to emerge in the upcoming season. Second-year wideout A.J. Jenkins continued to show flashes of brilliance in his first full offseason with the 49ers. The former first-round pick turned in highlight-worthy receptions in each minicamp session. In addition, rookie Quinton Patton displayed the play-making ability that made him a fourth-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. Ricardo Lockette, Chad Hall, Marlon Moore, Kassim Osgood and Chuck Jacobs all turned in impressive receptions in the offseason. As it currently stands, the 49ers have viable candidates to push for a bigger role in 2013.

The o-line battles for roster spots should be interesting - although I've said before - I hate our jumbo packages and would be happy to see us scrap it altogether except for maybe a rare change of pace. As for Boone, man that guy has been working his butt off since he came here. If he improves as much this year over last, as last year over the year before he's gonna be one of the best guards in the league._________________

With the three top players at OLB a virtual lock (Smith/Brooks/Lemonier), there remains likely only one roster spot available for the remaining four players. Johnson and Fleming are coming off injury-plagued seasons that hindered their rookie years. Both players will be entering their second NFL training camp. Johnson, a seventh-round selection, could be a casualty of the numbers game. But he did show he can contribute on special teams. He has an edge there because Fleming didnít play at all. But Fleming was a fifth-round draft selection, so he might have more value to the team. The wild card could Haralson, who is viewed as a valuable piece because of his veteran leadership qualities. But in a reserve role, he might not be able to contribute on special teams the way Fleming, Johnson, or Skuta could. Haralson will be one of the teamís tough decisions in TC.

Kaepernickís presence atop the depth chart is set, but the spots behind the 49ers athletic QB will be determined based on performance in training camp and preseason games. The 49ers acquired McCoy from the Browns prior to the 2013 NFL Draft and have been pleased with the offseason performance of the fourth-year passer who has made 21 career NFL starts. McCoy is learning his fourth playbook in four seasons, but still managed to complete several downfield passes in San Franciscoís OTAs and mandatory minicamp. McCoy will face competition from Tolzien and Daniels, two intriguing prospects who have much to offer. Tolzienís strengths center on his accuracy and cerebral play. Daniels, on the other hand, provides athleticism and play-making ability at the position, much like Kaepernick.

Davis remains the clear-cut leader of the group and has been a constant mentor for the young TEs on the roster. Celek, McDonald and undrafted rookie MarQueis Gray, a former college TE, have all been outspoken in praising Davisí leadership. With only four true TEs on the roster, all four players will see plenty of action when training camp begins. Dobbs, an emerging DL, saw limited action at TE in the 2012 offseason program, but primarily worked with the DL in 2013. Dobbsí knowledge of the offense allows him to be an option at TE, but he will likely continue his DL duties in training camp.

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Davisí 40 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in franchise history.

The 49ers' training-camp battles were mostly shrug-worthy until May 21. That's when Michael Crabtree, the team's best wideout since Terrell Owens skipped town in 2004, suffered a complete tear of his right Achilles' tendon, an injury that will cost him most, in not all, of the 2013 season. With that injury, WR suddenly became the focus of the 49ers' offseason. Anquan Boldin alleviated some of the concern this spring by looking as if he'd been playing with Kaepernick for 10 years rather than a few weeks. But the player who will line up most often opposite Boldin remains unknown. It's clear the contenders have talent. Also clear is that none has much experience. The coaching staff is tailoring a competition that will give each of the following players plenty of practice snaps and plenty of opportunities. Their hope is that at least one or two rises above the rest.

Even with established DL in the 3-4 scheme, the 49ers made a point do add depth to the DL group in the 2013 NFL Draft and also made a quality FA addition by picking up Dorsey, the former No. 5 overall pick in the 2008 draft. Following the Dorsey acquisition, SF spent two of 11 draft selections on DL. Carradine and Dial come to the 49ers with the ability to play multiple positions on the DL. However, neither of the two young prospects have been able to practice with their new teammates this offseason. Both intriguing linemen have nursed injuries in the short time theyíve been in SF. Fangio didnít speculate on a return date for the rookie duo, but did stressed that both would have to earn opportunities to rotate among the teamís established DL. Other candidates for greater roles in 2013 include hybrid linemen, Tukuafu and Dobbs. Both have mixed in on offense since the 2012 offseason, Tukuafu as a FB and Dobbs as a TE. The goal, however, is to use them more on the defensive line and leaders on the defense like Smith have been pleased with their progress as DL. Another player to watch is Okoye, a former British Olympian, who will be putting on football pads for the first time in his life when training camp begins.

The group should benefit from another offseason in Romanís diverse running system. The 49ers have maintained their top-flight rushing attack while adding a downfield passing game with Kaepernick under center. Gore has spoken positively about his hunger to produce at the age of 30 and feels like Kaepernickís dual-threat ability will open up running lanes in between the hashmarks. Hunter, meanwhile, has rehabbed vigorously to the point where he was sprinting and cutting during offseason workouts. He has yet to join the team for practice, but is close to returning to action. Lattimore, the popular rookie out of South Carolina, continued to rehab his own knee injury in the offseason and has been told to take a cautious approach to his return to the field. The 49ers appear to have strong depth at the RB position and will look to develop Lattimore has another do-it-all RB. However, the timetable for his 49ers debut remains to be seen.